Chapter 53 : Two idiots!

In the land of waves, Tsunade kicked the coin-dropping machine in front of her and then walked away to a distant corner without looking back.

Before this, there was a strange feeling in her heart. Why hadn't she seen Jiraiya when she confronted Uchiha Madara in battle? She hadn't expected this...

Of course, with video footage, the future could be bypassed, but... what if there wasn't any way?

Even though the video hadn't started yet, Tsunade's eyes welled up with tears.

"How could an idiot like you die?"

Inside the underground base, Orochimaru, who had been drawing a scroll, suddenly fell silent, then shook his head in self-deprecation.

[Screen start]

[One fine morning, Jiraiya left Konoha with Naruto, embarking on a long journey.]

[Then, a series of incoherent image paragraphs followed, all depicting the lives of the two travelers.]

[There was an image of Naruto practicing Rasengan.]

[Another image showed Jiraiya peeping, and Naruto making a comical face.]

[There was even an image of Jiraiya sealing a deal with Naruto, followed by a grand meal together.]

[Of course, most of the time, after training Naruto, Jiraiya would produce a pair of popsicles and share them.]

[In one picture, Naruto, wearing a black shirt, sat in the shadow under a tree, leaning against Jiraiya's broad, warm back, clutching a small wooden stick he was reluctant to throw away, and dozing off comfortably.]

Back in Konoha, Naruto watched the video with envy, then turned his hopeful gaze to Jiraiya.

"Uncle, can this really happen in the future?"

Alone, he didn't particularly care if the popsicles were tasty, but he looked forward to sharing those two-person popsicles with Jiraiya.

Since he was a child, what he had envied most was other kids sharing popsicles with their parents.

Glancing at those anxious, hopeful blue eyes, Jiraiya fought back tears and turned away, saying:

"It depends on how hard you train. If you work hard, I promise we'll go on a journey together in the future."

Jiraiya added, "And you can have as many popsicles as you want."

Hearing this, Naruto jumped up with excitement. This moment was even more joyful than envisioning his future strength.

In the underworld, Tsunade wiped away her tears, silently thanking Jiraiya in her heart. Her previous grievances had vanished.

[The screen accelerated, and the two returned to Konoha three years later.]

[In the next scene, Jiraiya and a woman entered a pub to enjoy some sake. The woman was Tsunade, who had become the Fifth Hokage.]

[Over the following months, whenever Jiraiya had free time, he would visit the Hokage office building. His excuse was always to have a drink, but in reality, Tsunade blushed slightly.]

After all these years, how could she not understand what he was thinking? She couldn't deny it to herself, but she struggled to overcome the feelings that held her back.

[Not long after, Jiraiya received news from his spy network and decided to venture alone into the Rain Shinobi Village.]

[It was an extremely dangerous mission.]

[Before departing, they shared another drink together, this time for an entire afternoon.]

[As the sun set, the two sat side by side.]

[The atmosphere grew quiet, and after a while, Jiraiya rose, intending to leave.]

[At that moment, Tsunade whispered, "Come back alive."]

["If you die too... I..."]

[Jiraiya suddenly laughed heartily, "Will you cry for me? Well, that would make me very happy! But not as sad as when it was broken."]

["Idiot!"]

"Idiot!" Tsunade tried to retract her earlier tears, but they only flowed more freely.

In the underground base, Orochimaru's face turned even paler. What did it mean that Jiraiya was also dead? Why did it sound ominous?

[The screen continues]

[Jiraiya looked at Tsunade, who was both anxious and overwhelmed, and said, "Then let's make a bet, your favorite kind of bet. You can bet that I'll die. After all, you always lose that bet." Then, as if determined, Jiraiya added, "But... if I come back alive..."]

[Though the words went unspoken, both knew what it meant—whether they could be together if he returned.]

[They gazed at each other in that moment.]

[Tsunade's eyes held a mixture of anticipation, fear, and an overwhelming sense of emotion.]

[At that instant, Jiraiya burst into laughter, "Haha, don't be nervous, I was just kidding."]

"Idiot!" Tsunade cursed once more, but this time, she didn't know if she was referring to Jiraiya or herself.

In the underground base, Orochimaru rarely uttered a word.

"What a pair of idiots."

[As the sun dipped below the horizon, Jiraiya stretched and departed.]

[Regrettably, what he didn't see was Tsunade, who had finally succumbed to silent tears behind him.]

"Haha, you really cried for me." In Naruto's home, Jiraiya rubbed his hands together, feeling that he had a good chance.

[The image dimmed, and the camera returned to a lake as the rain poured from the sky.]

[A green toad suddenly emerged from the lake's depths.]

[An arm extended from the toad's mouth, and a white-haired ninja emerged from it.]

[Jiraiya suddenly looked up, a smile forming at the corner of her mouth!]

["Successfully infiltrated!"]

*****

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